Loading machine



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LOADING MACHINE Original Filed Sept. 24, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l five/M01 Frank (d/JZZZQQK ff a'iwmx (law? P Judas 3Q 1935. F. CARTLIDGE LOADING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept. 24, 1954 [maven/02 flaw; @512 Patented June 30, 1935 UNETED STATES LOADING MACHINE Frank Cartlidge, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of Illinois Application September 24, 1934, Serial No. 745,202 Renewed November 29, 1935 15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in loading machines of the type adapted to load coal at the working face of a mine and more particularly to the gathering head for initially picking up the loose material and loading it onto a flight con veyer for discharge into a mine car or the like.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a means for stripping material from the gathering arms as they turn away from the inclined conveyer to prevent said arms from carrying material therebeyond.

My invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a loading machine 7 having the features embodying my invention incorporated therein;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the gathering mechanism of the machine shown in Figure 1 showing details of the stripping mechanism to which my present invention is directed;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the gathering mechanism showing certain details of the stripping mechanism to which my present invention is directed; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line l S of Figure 2.

Referring now in particular to the drawings, the main elements of the loading machine disclosed therein are essentially the same as shown in my prior applications, Serial Nos. 682,248 and 705,486, filed July 26, 1933, and January 6, 1934, respectively. Said main elements will only be described in a general way in order to illustrate one form in which my improved stripping means may be applied.

In the form shown, the loading machine consists of a wheel truck or main frame it! having a horizontally and vertically swingable gathering and loading element i i mounted at the front end thereof and extending forwardly therefrom, and a discharge conveyer l2 extending from beneath the rear end of said loading element and upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, overhanging the rear end of the main frame for discharging material into suitable receiving means, such as mine cars or the like.

The gathering and loading element ll may, as usual, comprise a conveyer frame 14 supported between trunnion supports 55, M5 for pivotal movement about a transverse axis disposed adjacent the rearward end thereof. Said trunnion supports are in turn pivotally supported on the main frame for swinging said conveyer frame about a vertical axis and positioning said gathering and loading element at varying positions relative to said main frame. The mechanism for pivotally swinging said trunnion supports l5, 15 on said main frame and for pivotally swinging said conveyer frame on said trunnion supports is not 5 herein shown or described, since it forms no part of my present invention and is fully disclosed in my prior application, Serial No. 682,248.

The inclined conveyer frame [4, as herein shown, preferably comprises a rearward conveyer section It and a forward gathering section I! connected thereto in a suitable manner. Said forward gathering section has a widened apron l8 formed integral therewith and extending forwardly therefrom in an inclined plane for engaging the ground.

The forward and rearward portions I! and I6 of the frame M are provided with a material conveyer, herein comprising a central portion or pan l9 forming a surface for moving material therealong. The moving parts of the conveyer consist of a pair of parallel-spaced chains 20, 20 having material engaging cross members or flights 2 I, 2| carried therebetween at suitable intervals. Said chains are trained around suitable sprockets 22, 22 adjacent the rear end of the machine on a transversely extending drive shaft 23 coaxial with the axis of pivotal connection of the frame 14 with the trunnion supports 15, I5. Said shaft is suitably driven in a manner similar to that previously disclosed in my prior application, Serial No. 682,248.

The conveyer chains 20, 20 extend forwardly from the sprockets 22, 22 beneath the pan l9 over idler rollers 25, 25 and under drive sprockets 26, 26 keyed on a transversely extending shaft 21 for driving the latter shaft. From thence the chains 20, 28 extend forwardly around idler rollers 28,

28 on a transverse shaft 29 journaled adjacent the front end of the section I! and below the apron [8. From thence said chains pass along a pair of guide rails 33, 33 spaced above the upper surface of the pan I9 to a point adjacent the section l6 where they pass along the upper surface of said pan.

The mechanism for gathering material and depositing it on said conveyer comprises a pair of endless chains 30, 30 mounted on chain guiding members 3!, 3| for orbital movement thereabout and having material gathering arms 32, 32 5 extending laterally therefrom and pivotally mounted thereon for limited pivotal movement about an axis which is perpendicular to their plane of travel. Said chain guiding members are mounted on the apron l8 adjacent opposite sides of the conveyer section H and are so arranged that said chains may move in orbital paths along opposite sides of said conveyer from a point disposed forwardly of the forward'end thereof in a manner similar to that disclosed in my prior application, Serial No. 706,486, previously referred to. Said gathering mechanism need not herein be described in greater detail, excepting to point out that it is driven by the transverse shaft 2? through a suitable gear train (not shown) in a usual manner.

In order to clearly understand the novel features of my invention, it should be observed that the speed of the conveyer is usually muchgreater than that of the gathering devices and that the point where the gathering devices turn away from the conveyer is disposed above and to one side of said conveyer a distance sufiicient to prevent the sweeping of material therefrom when said conveyer is normally loaded. In conditions,

however, where the conveyer is heavily loaded and Where the entire gathering mechanism and conveyer is buried under the coal, the tendency for the gathering devices to carry material beyond the conveyer is increased. In order to overcome any such tendency, a pair of stripping plates 3e are provided. One of theseplates is arranged on each side of the conveyer in such a manner that each plate may strip material from the gathering arms 32, 32. The construction of each of these stripping plates is similar, so a description of one will sufiice for a clear understanding of both.

The stripping plate 3l-is pivoted to the frame l4 rearwardly-of the gathering mechanism on the upper end of a pin 35. Said pin is carried in a bracket-33 secured to the outer side of said conveyer frame andthe axis of said pin is substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of the gathering arms 32. Said stripping plate is normallly adapted to extend forwardly of the pin 35 in a direction substantially parallel to the insides of the apron l8 where it meets the sides of the conveyer frame l4 and has a portion which extends over and above the path of said'gathering .arms. The portion of said stripping plate extending over and above the path of said gathering arms is cut away so as to form an opening conforming to the form of each gathering arm, through which-said gathering arms may pass (see Figure 2). Said stripping plate is inclined with respect to the side of the conveyer at an angle less than the angle of divergence of the gathering device with respect to said .conveyer, so that as-said gathering arms turn away from the conveyer and approach said stripping plate, material will be deflected onto the conveyer bysaid gathering arms when said stripping plate is relatively immovable with respect to said gathering arms.

A suitable means is provided to normally hold said stripping plate from movement relative to said gathering arms but permitting yieldable pivotal movement of said stripping plate when large lumps of material become wedged between one of said gathering arms .and strippingplate to .allow said lumpsto .pass to fpreventfouling of the gathering devices. Said means, as herein shown, comprises a. relatively heavy tension spring 31. Said tension'springis connected to the conveyerf frame M adjacent one of its ends and to an arm 38 adjacent its opposite end in a suitable manner. Said last-mentionedarm is mounted on the lower end of thepinf35 and extends forwardly-therefromin the same general direction as necting piece 39 in a suitable manner, such as welding. A stop 40 is adapted to engage the arm 38 to limit pivotal movement of said stripping plate beyond the inside edge of the apron l8.

It will thus be seen that as the gathering arms 32, 32 approach the stripping plates 34, 34, material will be swept from said gathering arms and deflected onto the conveyer by said stripping plates. In case a large lump of material becomes fouled between a gathering arm and stripping plate, said stripping plate will yieldably move about the axis of the pin 35 until the lump has been freed, whereupon said plate will be returned to its initial position by the spring 31. It should be understood that the tension of said spring is such thatthe stripping plates remain stationary under normal conditions and will only be pivoted upon fouling of a gathering arm with said stripping plate.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction and arrangement of the various parts may bechanged or altered without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the precise construction illustrated, excepting as it may be material onto said conveyer including an orbitally guided endless chain having gathering arms extending therefrom at spaced intervals therealong, and means for stripping material from said gathering arms as they turn away from said conveyer comprising a resiliently mounted stripping plate extending over said gathering arms as they approach said stripping plate, said stripping plate having a portion thereof cut away to substantially conform to the form of said gathering arms.

3. In combination with a loading machine, a conveyer, a gathering device adapted to discharge material onto said conveyor including an orbitally guided endless chain having gathering arms extending therefrom at spaced intervals therealong in a plane substantially parallelto the plane of travel of said endless chain, and means for stripping material from said gathering arms as they turn away from said conveyer comprising a plate of travel of said endless chain, and having a free end extending over the path of travel of said gathering arms.

4. In combination with a loading machine, a conveyer, a gathering device adapted to discharge material onto said conveyer including an orbitally guided endless chain having gathering arms exe tending therefrom at spaced intervals therealong in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of travel of said endless chain, and means for stripresiliently mounted for pivotal movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane' ping material from said gathering arms as they turn away from said conveyer comprising a plate pivoted adjacent one of its ends for movement about an axis perpendicular to the plane of travel of said gathering arms and having a free end extending over said gathering arms, and resilient means reacting against said plate to permit yieldable movement of said plate about said pivotal axis.

5. In combination with a loading machine, a conveyer, a gathering device adapted to discharge material onto said conveyer including an orbitally guided endless chain having gathering arms extending therefrom at spaced intervals therealong in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of travel of said endless chain, and means for stripping material from said gathering arms as they turn away from said conveyer comprising a plate pivoted adjacent one of its ends for movement about an axis perpendicular to the plane of travel of said gathering arms-and having a free end extending over said gathering arms, and a spring reacting against said plate to permit yieldable pivotal movement thereof.

6. In combination with a loading machine, a conveyer, a gathering device adapted to discharge material onto said conveyer including an orbitally guided endless chain having gathering arms extending therefrom at spaced intervals therealong in a plane substantially parallel to the path of travel of said endless chain, and means for stripping material from said gathering arms as they turn away from said conveyer comprisinga plate pivoted adjacent one of its ends for movement about an axis perpendicular to the plane of travel of said gathering arm and having a free end extending over and conforming to the form of said gathering arms, and a spring reacting against said plate to permit yieldable movement thereof.

'7. In a loading machine, a conveyer, a gathering device extending along one side of said conveyer including an orbitally guided endless chain having gathering arms extending therefrom at spaced intervals therealong, and means for stripping material from said arms as they turn away from said conveyer comprising a pivoted plate extending over said gathering arms and having a portion thereof substantially conforming to the form of said gathering arms, and yieldable means reacting against said plate.

8. In a loading machine, an inclined conveyer, gathering mechanism for moving material onto said inclined conveyer comprising an orbitally guided endless chain extending forwardly of and along one side of said inclined conveyer and having a plurality of laterally extending gathering arms spaced therealong, and means for preventing material from being carried beyond said conveyer by said gathering arms comprising a stripping plate mounted for pivotal movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of travel of said gathering arms, said stripping plate having a free end extending towards and over said gathering arms and having an under portion conforming substantially to the form of said gathering arms to permit said arms to pass therethrough.

9. In a loading machine, an inclined conveyer, gathering mechanism for moving material onto said inclined conveyer comprising an orbitally guided endless chain extending forwardly of and along one side of said inclined conveyer and having a plurality of laterally extending gathering arms spaced therealong, and means for preventing material from being carried beyond said conveyer by said gathering arms at their upper turning point comprising a stripping plate mounted for pivotal movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of travel of said gathering arms, said stripping plate having a free 5 end extending towards and over said gathering arms and having an under portion conforming substantially to the form of said gathering arms to permit said arms to therethrough, and yieldable means reacting against said stripping plate to 10 permit yieldable pivotal movement thereof.

10. In a loading machine, a conveyer, a gathering device extending along one side of said conveyer from a point disposed forwardly of the fo ward end thereof and diverging therefrom, said 15 gathering device including an orbitally guided endless chain turning away from said conveyer rearwardly of the forward end thereof and having gathering arms extending laterally therefrom at spaced intervals therealong, and means for strip- 20 ping material from said arms as they turn away from said conveyer comprising a plate pivoted rearwardly of the turning point of said gathering arms away from said conveyer for yieldable pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to the 25 plane of travel of said gathering arms, said plate extending towards and over the path of said gathering arms at an angle which is less than the angle of divergence of said gathering device away from said conveyer. 30

11. In a loading machine, a conveyer, a gathering device extending along one side of said conveyer from a point disposed forwardly of the forward end thereof and diverging therefrom, said gathering device including an orbitally guided 35 endless chain turning away from said conveyer rearwardly of the forward end thereof and having gathering arms extending laterally therefrom at spaced intervals, therealong, and means for stripping material from said arms as they turn away 40 from said conveyer comprising a plate pivoted rearwardly of the turning point of said gathering arms away from said conveyer for restricted movement about an axis perpendicular to the plane of travel of said gathering arms, said plate extending 45 towards and over the path of said gathering arms and being yieldably held in a position so that its longest side is at an angle with respect to said conveyer which is less than the angle of divergence of said gathering device away from said conveyer. 50

12. In a loading machine, a conveyer, a gathering device extending along one side of said conveyer from a point disposed forwardly of the forward end thereof and diverging therefrom, said gathering device including an orbitally guided 55 endless chain turning away from said conveyer rearwardly of the forward end thereof and having gathering arms extending laterally therefrom at spaced intervals therealong, and means for stripping material from said arms as they turn away 60 from said conveyer comprising a plate pivoted rearwardly of the turning point of said gathering arms away from said conveyer for restricted move ment about an axis perpendicular to the plane of travel of said gathering arms, said plate extending towards and over the path of said gathering arms and having an under portion formed to conform to the shape of said gathering arms to permit said gathering arms to pass therethrough, said plate having yieldable means connected thereto for re- 70 straining pivotal movement thereof.

13. In a loading machine, an inclined conveyer, gathering mechanism for moving material onto said inclined conveyer comprising a pair of orbitally guided endless chains having a plurality of 75 veyer comprising a' stripping plate pivotally mounted for movement about an axis perpendicular to the plane of travel of said endless chains and disposed rearwardly of each of said endless chains, each of said stripping plates extending towards and over said endless chains.

14. In a loading machine, an inclined conveyer,

gathering mechanism for moving material 'onto said inclined econveyer comprising a pair of orbitall-yr guided endless chains having a plurality of V laterally extending gathering arms spaced therealong, each of said endless chains extending along aside of said inclined conveyer from a point disposed forwardly of the forward end thereof, and means to prevent material from being carried beyond the sides of said inclined conveyer by said gathering arms as they leave said inclined conveyer comprising a pair of stripping plates pivot.-

ally mounted for movement about axes disposed rearwa-rdly of and perpendicular to the'plane of travel of said endless chains, each of said stripping plates extending towards and over said endless chains and having yieldable means connected thereto for restraining pivotal movement thereof. a

15. In a loading machine, an inclined conveyer,

said inclined conveyer comprising a pair of orbially guided endless chains having a plurality of laterally extending gathering armsspaced therealong, eachiofsai-d endless chains extending along a side of said inclined conveyer from a point disgathering mechanism for moving material onto posed forwardly of the-forward end thereof, and

means to prevent material'from being carried be yond the sides ofsaidinclined conveyer by said gathering arms as they leave said inclined iconveyer comprising a pair of stripping plates pivotally mounted for movement about axes disposed rearwardly of and perpendicular to the'plane of travel of said endless chains, eachof strip-..

ping plates extending towards and over said endlessv chains and having a spring connected thereto for restraining pivotal movement thereof.

FRANK CARTLIDGE. 25." 

